Are you in Albania and working online? Need to see a few faces, or just craving a change of scenery because you’ve had enough of your apartment’s four walls? Here are a few tried-and-tested tips to make “nomad life” even sweeter 💻🌞
💻 Working from a Hotel: The Hidden Gem
This is probably the best-kept secret for mixing work and dolce vita.
Many hotels with pools (especially off-season) will happily let you spend the day there, even if you’re not staying overnight.
👉 Just ask at reception for a “day pass for pool & Wi-Fi.” Prices usually range from €7 to €15 per day, including a sunbed, pool access, and internet.
In Vlora, for example, I often went to Kraal Hotel (4★) — €7 per day, sunbed by the sea, stable connection, and super-friendly staff.
Gjurma Hotel & Spa offered €10 (off-season) for access to their sunbeds, Wi-Fi, and pool.
The best part: you’re working in the sun, the Wi-Fi is great, you can take a dip on your break, and it’s a total upgrade from the apartment-café vibe.
If you don’t want a sunbed, you can simply go to the hotel café without a day pass and order something — they’ll let you work there with no problem!
☕ Cafés Where You Can Work Comfortably
Albanians spend a lot of time in cafés — it’s almost an institution.
The good news? Most are totally fine with you working there, as long as you order something (and not just one 80-cent coffee for three hours 😉… but without breaking the bank, it’s usually a win-win).
In Vlora, I loved Sundown Beach Bar (my once-secret spot) — private beach, comfy sunbeds, and a chill vibe. BOA Bar, closer to the city center, was also excellent. And of course, Kraal Hotel Café was great too — local atmosphere, reliable Wi-Fi, and solid coffee.
In Tirana, you’ll find more digital-nomad-style places like Destil Hostel & Café, ODA Café, or Komiteti for a more artsy vibe.
In Saranda, Café No Name is a real gem for remote work: stunning sea view, relaxed ambiance, and quiet outside the high season. ⚠️ In summer, it can get trickier — the terrace fills up fast with tourists, and it’s harder to stay long with a laptop.
Also in Saranda, Buzzbar is the meeting point for expats and nomads. They regularly host events (like… nearly every night!), and once a month they organize a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish to share. It’s a great way to meet people and chat over a drink — whether you’re in town for a few weeks or several months.
📶 Internet & SIM cards
Wi-Fi connections in Albania are generally good, especially in touristy areas. Every café, bar, and restaurant has Wi-Fi — they know most Europeans don’t have mobile data here.
For a short stay, the easiest option is to buy a local SIM card (Vodafone or One Albania).
Since we were staying several months, we used a RED plan for €19/month, which works in Albania. Note: no calls included, so we use WhatsApp — but that’s perfectly fine, since nearly every business in Albania uses it and is used to being contacted that way.
👥 Meeting Other Nomads or Expats
Albania is attracting more and more long-term travelers, retirees, freelancers, and digital nomads.
The best way to meet people is still through Facebook groups:
- Digital Nomads in …
- Expats in Tirana
- Expats in Vlora
- Expats in Saranda
- Expats in Saranda Albania 🇦🇱 …
Some organize after-work drinks, hikes, or informal meetups… some need help, you can ask for help, etc etc !
If you enjoy nature, there are also hiking and beach clean-up groups — especially along the southern coast.
🕶️ Off-Season: The Perfect Time to Come
May–June and September–October are ideal: it’s warm, the sea’s still great for swimming, places to stay are cheaper and hotels are happy to welcome day visitors.
As I write this (October 25th) from Saranda, we went for a swim this afternoon. Last month in Vlora, we were swimming almost every day!
In mid-summer, prices rise a bit and crowds arrive — but the atmosphere stays friendly, especially in smaller coastal towns.
🌿 In a Nutshell
Albania is simple, affordable, and full of light — perfect for working differently.
Whether you prefer a poolside sunbed, a buzzing café, or a balcony overlooking the sea, there’s always a peaceful spot to set up your laptop.
And if you discover new places to work, grab a coffee, or sneak in a swim — share them in the comments 👇
You’ll definitely help the next nomads passing through 💚
Albanian Travels 
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